Dagupan intensifies flood assessment, solutions
LOCAL authorities are closely monitoring flood conditions across Dagupan City as heavy rains and high tide continue to affect various communities
Ronald de Guzman, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said it has been persistently raining for more than a week due to a passing storm intensified by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“The situation is worsened by what locals call nepnep — a term for the rainy season — which, combined with high tides and monsoon winds, leads to widespread flooding,” he said.
Dagupan City serves as a natural catch basin for water from nearby mountains, which contributes to frequent flooding during the rainy season.
Despite the situation, De Guzman assured residents that the local government, under Mayor Belen Fernandez, is actively addressing the flooding. The city’s engineering office and the CDRRMO continue to visit affected areas to assess and find solutions to the problems on the ground.
“The local government is not being negligent. We are going around, inspecting every area, and making sure we respond quickly,” he said.
On Sunday, July 20, a new dredging machine from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) arrived in the city. It is currently being assembled and will soon be deployed to help dredge rivers and improve water flow towards the sea.
De Guzman emphasized that one of the long-term solutions being implemented is the elevation of main roads to keep them accessible, especially for emergency routes leading to hospitals.
While most major roads in Dagupan remain passable, De Guzman acknowledged that certain areas are still affected by floodwaters, including Tapuac, where roadworks are ongoing, as well as parts of Mayombo, Carael, and Calmay. (Ahikam Pasion)
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